I would love to see Del Potro make the final or even win. He is one of the only guys who has a chance to beat Nadal on clay if he is playing his best, the problem is he has a loaded draw and it would be a miracle for him to survive it. Now that TMF's Del Potro erection alias DFTW is banned it is easier to hope for Del Potro to do well.

JM is probably behind Djok and Murray in descending order of 127 other people who have any chance of beating Nad at RG 2012. Then Tsonga, Bird, Isner, ...... Fed would be at about #256.

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Murray would not be up that high. The order would be Djokovic, Del Potro, and then Tsonga, Berdych, and Isner in some order, so agree with you except the Murray part. Definitely agree about the Federer part.

Murray would not be up that high. The order would be Djokovic, Del Potro, and then Tsonga, Berdych, and Isner in some order, so agree with you except the Murray part. Definitely agree about the Federer part.

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Disagree. There are only two players who have any chance of defeating Nadal on the clay of RG--Djokovic or Federer, even though the chances of either player doing it this year are very low. Despite the fact that Federer has never defeated Nadal at RG his chances of doing it are 100 times better than Del Potro, Tsonga, Berdych or Isner. Come on. Those guys are mugs when it comes to slams. Del Potro is one of the most overrated players in tennis history imo.

Disagree. There are only two players who have any chance of defeating Nadal on the clay of RG--Djokovic or Federer, even though the chances of either player doing it this year are very low. Despite the fact that Federer has never defeated Nadal at RG his chances of doing it are 100 times better than Del Potro, Tsonga, Berdych or Isner. Come on. Those guys are mugs when it comes to slams. Del Potro is one of the most overrated players in tennis history imo.

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Del Potro is overrated I agree, but he is a tough matchup for Nadal when playing well. Last year they had tough matches on both clay and grass, grass a surface Del Potro is kind of a mug on so that is even more noteable. As you know from the Nadal-Federer H2H history, matchups mean alot.

One just has to look at Federer's history with Nadal at RG to sum up his chances. Even peak Federer couldnt really get that close to beating a young Nadal at RG, so even if Federer seems in better form lately, what hope does a 30 something past prime Federer have vs a Nadal who seems in form again. Last year fired up Federer still couldnt push crappy Nadal in his worst clay season since 2004 to a 5th set for the first time. I doubt even Federer believes he can beat Nadal at RG. There is way too much mental baggage at this point for him to ever pull it off.

Isner I might be overrating but he did take Nadal to 5 sets at RG, making him one of only 2 players since 2005 to do that well or better (the other being Soderling who beat him). Master grinders hate attacking players with huge serves more than any other opponent on clay. It is hugely unlikely they will even play, and still very unlikely Isner would win if they did, but I still give him more chance than most, which speaks to how unlikely Nadal losing at all is in the first place.

Berdych seems to be getting more of a handle on playing Nadal again. Remember he was Nadal's nemisis up until their match at Wimbledon in 2007, then Berdych unexpectedly got spanked there and has never been the same since in the matchup, but their last 2 or 3 matches he played really well and was competitive. Nadal destroyed Berdych on clay back then, but Berdych in 2005 and 2006 was a clay mug, he is a pretty good clay courter now.

Del Potro is overrated I agree, but he is a tough matchup for Nadal when playing well. Last year they had tough matches on both clay and grass, grass a surface Del Potro is kind of a mug on so that is even more noteable. As you know from the Nadal-Federer H2H history, matchups mean alot.

One just has to look at Federer's history with Nadal at RG to sum up his chances. Even peak Federer couldnt really get that close to beating a young Nadal at RG, so even if Federer seems in better form lately, what hope does a 30 something past prime Federer have vs a Nadal who seems in form again. Last year fired up Federer still couldnt push crappy Nadal in his worst clay season since 2004 to a 5th set for the first time. I doubt even Federer believes he can beat Nadal at RG. There is way too much mental baggage at this point for him to ever pull it off.

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But the fact still remains that Del Potro and Berdych have never defeated Nadal on clay but Federer has done it twice. I don't care how old Federer is, a 16 time grand slam champion can never be ruled out completely when it comes to winning any slam, even one where he has never defeated Nadal before. Crazy things happen in tennis.

But the fact still remains that Del Potro and Berdych have never defeated Nadal on clay but Federer has done it twice. I don't care how old Federer is, a 16 time grand slam champion can never be ruled out completely when it comes to winning any slam, even one where he has never defeated Nadal before. Crazy things happen in tennis.

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Federer is still the second best Roland Garros player currently. He should never be counted out of contention for this title (or any others, like you said). As long as he shows up, he's one of the favorites to win.

Federer is still the second best Roland Garros player currently. He should never be counted out of contention for this title (or any others, like you said). As long as he shows up, he's one of the favorites to win.

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Yep. It is a long shot that Federer will defeat Nadal at the FO but if any player would have the ability and chance to do it, it would be Federer. He is not out there still playing because he needs the money, he wants to try and win a couple more slams. Who the heck could pick jokers like Berdych or Del Potro to beat Nadal in a slam over Federer, one of the greatest of all time?

Disagree. There are only two players who have any chance of defeating Nadal on the clay of RG--Djokovic or Federer, even though the chances of either player doing it this year are very low. Despite the fact that Federer has never defeated Nadal at RG his chances of doing it are 100 times better than Del Potro, Tsonga, Berdych or Isner. Come on. Those guys are mugs when it comes to slams. Del Potro is one of the most overrated players in tennis history imo.

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Personalities are like chemicals; they react unpredictably with each other. Sometimes they are neutral, sometimes bring out the best in each other - also some people bring out the WORST in each other. Then sometimes one completely dominates another. In 1 v 1, in any situation, not just tennis, there's the technical match-up between the two, but there is also the mental, personality match-up, which might be less tangible but could have much more serious consequences. Out there on court, it isn't just a contest of technical advantages, it is also a joust between two characters. And unfortunately as with Serena vs Maria, Nadal vs Federer in slams is imo a foregone conclusion for the same reason.

Of course, if Nad goes out to another Soderling in a shock upset at RG, Fed's self belief and title hopes will suddenly go through the roof….

Yep. It is a long shot that Federer will defeat Nadal at the FO but if any player would have the ability and chance to do it, it would be Federer. He is not out there still playing because he needs the money, he wants to try and win a couple more slams. Who the heck could pick jokers like Berdych or Del Potro to beat Nadal in a slam over Federer, one of the greatest of all time?

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Neither of those two are beating Nadal at RG. Only Federer has shown that he's capable of beating Nadal at RG. For all the (justifiable) hype that surrounds Djokovic, "Djoker 2.0" is untested against Nadal at RG. What we have seen, though, is that "Djoker 2.0" could not defeat Federer at RG (and that the haters dismiss it as a fluke). So Nadal is the favorite for this tournament, Djokovic still second favorite as he made the finals of 2/3 clay MS1000 events, and then Federer as a close third.

I think all three will comfortably make the semis, but from there, all predictions are off!

It is certainly true Fed is 2nd best at RG but NOT at beating Nad at RG, which are 2 things.

For Fed to beat Nad at RG? Nad will be running a 104 fever and on his death bed - and will still not lose to Fed.

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Yeah, true. But so long as both are on opposite sides of the draw, everything is even until they meet in the final. That's when specific match-ups come into play. Before that, it's all about navigating through the draw, and for the past 6-7 years, Federer and Nadal have been the best at it.

Neither of those two are beating Nadal at RG. Only Federer has shown that he's capable of beating Nadal at RG. For all the (justifiable) hype that surrounds Djokovic, "Djoker 2.0" is untested against Nadal at RG. What we have seen, though, is that "Djoker 2.0" could not defeat Federer at RG (and that the haters dismiss it as a fluke). So Nadal is the favorite for this tournament, Djokovic still second favorite as he made the finals of 2/3 clay MS1000 events, and then Federer as a close third.

I think all three will comfortably make the semis, but from there, all predictions are off!

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It is hilarious to me that people actually think that Berdych or the current form Del Potro will get a sniff at any slam let alone at RG against Nadal. A Federer on crutches would have a better chance of beating Nadal at RG, Federer's least successful slam than slamless wonders or one slam wonders like Berdych or Del Potro. I mean it makes no sense.

But the fact still remains that Del Potro and Berdych have never defeated Nadal on clay but Federer has done it twice. I don't care how old Federer is, a 16 time grand slam champion can never be ruled out completely when it comes to winning any slam, even one where he has never defeated Nadal before. Crazy things happen in tennis.

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How many times has Federer played Nadal on clay and how many times has Del Potro played him. It isnt a fair comparision. Federer played Nadal on clay something like 14 times now, of course he has to get the occasional win, but he is still 0-5 at Roland Garros, and most of those were in his peak years to boot. Del Potro is a tougher matchup for Nadal than Federer is. Federer has never ripped Nadal to shreads on a non indoor court, even a fast hard court, the way Del Poro did at the 2009 U.S Open. Del Potro had a 3 match win streak over Nadal at one point too. Last year when not even playing top 10 tennis he nearly beat Nadal at both Wimbledon on grass and Davis Cup on clay. I am not saying Del Potro is better than Federer of course, just that he is a tougher opponent for Nadal, and he doesnt have years of demons at Roland Garros confronting him if he plays nadal.

Anyway Berdych and Del Potro or not in Nadal's quarter or even Nadal's half so it is a moot point. Neither Berdych or Del Potro can survive to the final with the nightmare draws they have, so what their chances would be vs Nadal on clay are moot.

It is hilarious to me that people actually think that Berdych or the current form Del Potro will get a sniff at any slam let alone at RG against Nadal. A Federer on crutches would have a better chance of beating Nadal at RG, Federer's least successful slam than slamless wonders or one slam wonders like Berdych or Del Potro. I mean it makes no sense.

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Berdych in 2010 at Wimbledon (somewhere I'd think would suit him) couldn't take a set from Nadal, even though he blitzed through Federer and Djokovic. del Potro seems to be in a perpetual recovery and, though I like him very much, can't threaten the top 3 in slams right now. However, thankfully for him, he's young and will most probably be a slam contender soon. But right now, I simply cannot see it happening.

How many times has Federer played Nadal on clay and how many times has Del Potro played him. It isnt a fair comparision. Del Potro is a tougher matchup for Nadal than Federer is. Federer has never ripped Nadal to shreads on a non indoor court, even a fast hard court, the way Del Poro did at the 2009 U.S Open. Del Potro had a 3 match win streak over Nadal at one point too. Last year when not even playing top 10 tennis he nearly beat Nadal at both Wimbledon on grass and Davis Cup on clay. I am not saying Del Potro is better than Federer of course, just that he is a tougher opponent for Nadal, and he doesnt have years of demons at Roland Garros confronting him if he plays nadal.

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I understand what you're saying, but del Potro's current form is nothing like it was in 2009. And even at Wimbledon last year, he had to play incredibly well to even win a set against Nadal (on his worst surface, no less).

And I disagree about the demons of facing Nadal at RG. Every player, no matter who, will be nervous or downright terrified of the prospect of having to play Nadal at Roland Garros. The only possible exception is currently recovering from mono.

Berdych in 2010 at Wimbledon (somewhere I'd think would suit him) couldn't take a set from Nadal, even though he blitzed through Federer and Djokovic. del Potro seems to be in a perpetual recovery and, though I like him very much, can't threaten the top 3 in slams right now. However, thankfully for him, he's young and will most probably be a slam contender soon. But right now, I simply cannot see it happening.

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At that point Berdych had no confidence in the matchup, so of course he got spanked. Ever since Wimbledon 2007 he has had none for awhile. He is slowly regaining some of late though, and is now the most confident vs Nadal he has been since 2006.

How many times has Federer played Nadal on clay and how many times has Del Potro played him. It isnt a fair comparision. Federer played Nadal on clay something like 14 times now, of course he has to get the occasional win, but he is still 0-5 at Roland Garros, and most of those were in his peak years to boot. Del Potro is a tougher matchup for Nadal than Federer is. Federer has never ripped Nadal to shreads on a non indoor court, even a fast hard court, the way Del Poro did at the 2009 U.S Open. Del Potro had a 3 match win streak over Nadal at one point too. Last year when not even playing top 10 tennis he nearly beat Nadal at both Wimbledon on grass and Davis Cup on clay. I am not saying Del Potro is better than Federer of course, just that he is a tougher opponent for Nadal, and he doesnt have years of demons at Roland Garros confronting him if he plays nadal.

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Del Potro is not a tougher match-up on clay for Nadal than Federer is. First of all, Del Potro has not even made it to the finals of the FO whereas Federer has made it there many times. How can you possibly say a player who has never won the FO and who has never even made it to the finals of the FO AND who has never defeated Nadal on clay anywhere is tougher than a guy who has won one FO and made the finals there many times AND has defeated Nadal on clay twice (though not at RG.) Come on! When Del Potro defeats Nadal on clay at any tournament, let me know. Playing a close match does not count. Only winning matters.

In order for Del Potro to have years of demons confronting him if he plays Nadal on clay at the FO, he has to first make it to the finals there once. I won't hold my breath.

Berdych in 2010 at Wimbledon (somewhere I'd think would suit him) couldn't take a set from Nadal, even though he blitzed through Federer and Djokovic. del Potro seems to be in a perpetual recovery and, though I like him very much, can't threaten the top 3 in slams right now. However, thankfully for him, he's young and will most probably be a slam contender soon. But right now, I simply cannot see it happening.

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I can't see it at all. He is a ball basher who has a good forehand, that is all I see. (sorry to his fans, I know many pull for him.)

At that point Berdych had no confidence in the matchup, so of course he got spanked. Ever since Wimbledon 2007 he has had none for awhile. He is slowly regaining some of late though, and is now the most confident vs Nadal he has been since 2006.

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Maybe so, but that has to translate to a big win sooner or later. How long can he choke away matches against Nadal before one has to say, "it's not happening for Berdych?"

The only players who have a prayer of beating Nadal are Djokovic and Del Potro. Djokovic, obviously, is the bigger threat. And IMO I would still put it 50:50 in a potential Nadal-Djoko RG final. Delpo has the second best shot, if the Argentinian catches fire.

Other than those two, I don't see anyone (Federer included) beating Nadal in Paris.

Basically, I just want to fast forward to next Sunday and watch the Djoko-Nadal final. These two guys are head and shoulders above everyone else and they are practically guaranteed to be in the final unless there is a career defining performance by Delpo or someone else..

Every player, no matter who, will be nervous or downright terrified of the prospect of having to play Nadal at Roland Garros. The only possible exception is currently recovering from mono.

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Disagree. Soderling was beaten by Nadal in straights next year. The 2009 4th round performance by Soderling was perhaps a one-off and he never replicated that form again. Not to mention that Nadal didn't play particularly well in that match, given his injuries.

I think the ONLY guy who doesn't feat Nadal in Paris is Djokovic. Despite what happened in MC/Rome 2012, Djokovic knows that he could beat Nadal (even on clay) if he plays his best. He's done that in 2011 on all surfaces..

The only players who have a prayer of beating Nadal are Djokovic and Del Potro. Djokovic, obviously, is the bigger threat.

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Djoko has never taken a set off Rafa at RG in what? 3 or 4 encounters? Djoko is a big threat to Rafa in other slams but not at RG.
Other than the Sod loss, the only guy to have taken 2 sets from Rafa is Isner in 2011 (and probably only because it was a 1st R and Rafa's form/confidence was poor). Other than that, the only guy who has taken a set off Rafa more than once at RG is Fed: in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011. (Even though I agree with you that Fed seems radically incapable of going all the way vs Rafa at RG, too many obstacles for that to happen: technical, physical and mental. If he was to do it, 2006 was his best chance when he was at the top of his form and Rafa at the lowest or even 2011 when Rafa had his lowest level of confidence on clay).
Guys who have taken 1 set once: Puerta and Grosjean in 2005 (and Puerta was doping, Grosjean cheating), Mathieu and Hewitt in 2006 which was Rafa's second worst RG perf so far (after 2009, I would say the 3rd worst was 2011).
This year, I can't see a threat to Rafa (bar unexpected injury), he's too confident and playing/serving very well. Djoko is not even close to the level he would need to bully Rafa at RG and Fed... lol... no comment.